Moms Challah Second Version Recipes

MOM'S CHALLAH

Steps:

• Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk yeast and water to fully dissolve yeast. Add sugar, orange juice, salt, melted butter, and 2 eggs, and whisk to combine. Then add raisins and flour. Attach a dough hook and mix on low speed just until the dough comes together and is not sticky. Mix an additional 2 minutes, the last 15 seconds on medium speed.
• Turn dough onto a work surface and knead a few times to bring it together, then place in a large buttered bowl. Place plastic wrap over dough, making sure to lightly tuck the plastic around the sides of the dough. Allow dough to rise until doubled in size, about 60-90 minutes.
• The dough is ready when you can press your finger into the dough and it holds the indentation. Gently move the dough onto your work surface in one piece. Cut the dough into thirds and, without deflating the dough too much, roll each piece into a strand about 10 inches long. Lay the strands out parallel to each other, and pinch them together at one end. Pull the rightmost strand over the center one, then the left over the new center, alternating until you have a tightly finished braid and can pinch the end together. At this point, you can wrap the braid around itself to form a "turban" and seal the ends together. If it doesn't look right, just unbraid and try again! Place challah on a parchment-lined baking tray and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Whisk the remaining egg with 2 tablespoons water in a bowl. Glaze the top and sides of the challah with this egg wash, then bake 35-45 minutes.
• To test if the challah is fully cooked, tap on its bottom-it should sound hollow. Let cool 30 minutes. Serve. (And remember, if you're eating it fresh, tear it apart with your hands!)

NADAV'S DELICIOUS CHALLAH

Steps:

• Place all the ingredients (except for the egg and the sesame seeds) in a bowl and knead until a good smooth dough has been achieved.
• You can either do this by hand or in a counter-top mixer with a dough hook.
• Place the dough in a bowl and let rise for one hour.
• During this one hour, punch down and knead the dough every 15 minutes.
• Divide the dough into the amount of loaves you want, then divide each piece into 3 and start braiding.
• Place the braids on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
• Brush with egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
• Let rise for another 1/2 an hour.
• In the meantime, preheat the oven to 150 degrees C (300 degrees F).
• Bake the braids for 1/2 an hours.
• The dough is almost idiot-proof.
• It comes out smooth and gorgeous and the challahs are amazing.
• Very addictive.

CHALLAH II WITH MAPLE SYRUP GLAZE (EGGLESS VERSION)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Dissolve sugar in 1/2 cup water in bowl of mixer.
• Sprinkle yeast over water and mix, let stand 10 minutes until foamy.
• Add remaining ingredients into mixing bowl.
• Mix with dough hook for 6 minutes.
• Place in oiled bowl, cover and let rise in warm place until double in bulk.
• Punch down dough.
• Let rise until double in bulk.
• Punch down again.
• Divide dough into 3 equal parts.
• Roll dough into 3 long strands.
• Braid the strands, tucking the ends under.
• Cover with towel and let double in bulk.
• Glaze with maple syrup.
• Bake at 400 F for approximately 30 minutes, until golden brown.
• The challah is done when it sounds hollow when thumped on the bottom.

MOM'S CHALLAH, SECOND VERSION

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup water and set aside. It will soon start bubbling.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, 2 cups of water, oil and salt. Mix.
• Add the eggs and the yeast mixture and mix well.
• Add 4 cups of flour, and mix well again. Add the remaining flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and knead knead knead. (If you are doing this in a mixer, just knead in the mixer.) When it is smooth and elastic, it is done. You may need to add a little extra flour or water to get it to that earlobe consistency. You can add the raisins here if you'd like.
• Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise until doubled in size.
• Punch down, knead another few minutes, and return to the bowl for another rising.
• Divide into thirds (by cutting with a knife; don't pull), and shape into loaves.
• Heat oven to 350°F
• Place each loaf in a prepared pan or on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops with the egg/water mixture, and sprinkle with seeds if you wish.
• Bake for about 45 minutes. When done, the loaves will sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.